U.S. rockers The Black Crowes have been left fuming after a music critic allegedly "made up" a bad review of their first album in seven years.
The Hard To Handle stars claim a critic from Maxim magazine gave their album Warpaint a poor review.
It gave it two-and-a-half stars out of a possible five in its March (08) issue without hearing the release - as no advance copies were made available.
Writing on the Black Crowes website, frontman Chris Robinson states, "The writer, who has not heard the album since advance CDs were not made available, wrote what appears to be a disparaging assessment anyway, citing, 'It hasn't left Chris Robinson and the gang much room for growth'."
The band and its management have now launched a scathing attack on Maxim - insisting the stunt is a "disgrace".
Pete Angelus, the band's manager, says, "It speaks directly to the lack of the publication's credibility. In my opinion, it's a disgrace to the arts, journalism, critics, the publication itself and the public.
"What's next - Maxim's concert reviews of shows they never attended, book reviews of books never read and film reviews of films never seen?"
A spokesperson for the publication would not confirm or deny the allegations, but instead released the following statement: "Maxim will continue to provide our readers with information that is important to them, whether it is about fashion, lifestyle, technology, music, movies and more."
Warpaint is due for release on 4 March (08).